DISHA KHARAYAT

2502, Seawood A, Hiranandani Upscale, Egattur, Chennai-603103

Contact No.:91-9176677277
E-mail id:disha_26@rediffmail.com
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Driving strategic HR initiatives to realize bottom line results and enhance employee
engagement in pursuit of organizational objectives

 Performance driven professional 15 years of combined experience in human resource

business partnering, talent acquisition, talent development, and corporate and employment laws
 Strategic architect in the development of innovative HR initiatives to streamline processes
and capitalize on organizational growth opportunities.
 A creative thinker, problem solver and decision maker who effectively balances the needs of
the employees with the mission of the organization
 Strong communications, interpersonal relations, mentoring, negotiation and organizational
skills

Professional Dossier-15 years with ACCOR

Consulting for ACCOR January 2025-March 2025

Played a key role in the rebranding of Raintree Annasalai to Pullman by facilitating a smooth
transition through the following initiatives:
 Developed and implemented an organizational structure aligned with established standards.
 Standardized HR policies by identifying and addressing gaps in existing practices across the
organization.
 Designed and executed a strategic plan to ensure a seamless cultural transition to the new
brand.
 Ensured compliance with employment laws by aligning contracts, policies, and procedures with
legal requirements.
 Led the transition to a new software system for managing attendance, payroll, recruitment, and
talent management.
 Leadership alignment through training sessions on new vision and mission.

Career Pause October 2023- December 2024

 Took a planned career break to focus on family responsibilities and personal growth through
travel
 Enhanced organizational and time management skills while managing family commitments
 Utilized this period to recalibrate career goals and remain updated on industry trends

Cluster Director of Talent and Culture, Novotel Ibis Chennai OMR and Novotel Chennai
SIPCOT January 2019 – September 2023

 Strategically aligned HR initiatives with business goals for a workforce of 400+, which enhanced
overall productivity by 22%
 Worked with HR colleagues to identify ways to further share resources, create efficiencies and
develop synergies and hence reduced costs by 10%
 Spearheaded employee engagement initiatives that reduced staff turnover by 30%
 Managed the compensation and benefits policy revamp increasing market competitiveness
and employee satisfaction scores
 Led the organizational restructure during the pandemic and retained 95% of the high potential
through the change process
 Orchestrated a learning and development initiative that resulted in a 20% increase in employee
up skilling
 Researched and revived the on boarding program for new joiners, hence contributing to
employee retention and enhancing new employee experience
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 Automated various HR processes, resulting in a 20% reduction in administrative time and a
more data-driven approach to decision-making
 Led bi-annual audit HR function audits at the units with zero non-compliance

Cluster Director of Talent and Culture, Novotel and Ibis Chennai SIPCOT
March 2016- December 2018
Novotel Chennai SIPCOT is a 180 room five star property situated on OMR opposite the SIPCOT IT
park gate. Whereas, Ibis Chennai SIPCOT is a 176 room economy brand of Accor Hotels situated in
the same premises as Novotel.
In this capacity I was responsible for handling both the HR and Training function along with
managing an employee strength of 220 employees.

 Identified and implemented numerous ideas to streamline processes which include: staffing,
training, and payroll, resulting in substantial cost savings
 Reviewed salary surveys, identified market median and benchmarked salaries relative to
position, hence contributing to a 20% improvement in employee retention
 Fostered employee engagement through innovative recognition programs which were correlated
with a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores
 Drive the continuous personal improvement and professional development of both leadership and
non-leadership employees leading to internal transfers of 40% of the employees in the last
two years with 80% of them transferred on a promotion
 Because of the various learning initiative and engagement activities, the employee satisfaction
scores have been at more than 95% for both the hotels.

HR Consultant, Ibis Chennai City Centre December 2015- January 2016

In the capacity of the HR consultant to the pre-opening Ibis Chennai City centre, provided Human
resource and Training support.

 Developed and managed employee on-boarding and training program for continuous staff
development on HR policies and company mission and vision..
 Coordinated interview scheduling, background checks, and reference checks for hiring of 80
employees
 Counseled employees in areas relating to manager-employee as well as peer-peer relationships,
work-life balance, and organizational procedures and policies
 Ensured systems, modules and reports were in compliance with all statutory requirements
 Advised management regarding legal, ethical and moral disciplinary and termination practices

HR Manager, Novotel Pune June 2013-November 2015

Novotel Pune is 5-star property with 223 rooms, vast indoor and outdoor banqueting area and six
fully equipped meeting rooms, a gym and a beautiful outdoor pool. As a part of the pre-opening
team, the major responsibility was to recruit the right talent and thereafter training them so that they
are ready for operations.

 Collaborated with executive teams to develop a scalable HR framework that supported the
company's growth from 0 to 200 employee in 5 months along with maintaining the
operational budget for the project
 Successfully mediated and resolved complex employee relations issues that maintained a
harmonious work environment
 Instituted a leadership development program that identified and nurtured high-potential
employees, filling 80% of management roles internally
 Organized a company-wide engagement survey that identified critical areas for improvement,
leading to a tailored action plan with measurable impact
 With a focused approach towards succession planning, manpower development and employee
welfare, payroll cost is maintained at 22%
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 Designed and rolled out an employee wellness program that decreased health-related
absenteeism by 15%

HR Manager, Ibis Pune April 12-June 13

Assistant Manager-HR, Ibis Pune April 11-March 12
HR Executive-Hotel Ibis December 09- March 11
Management Trainee-Hotel Ibis, Pune December 08-November 09

 Administrated HR business partner functions, impacting 100+ employees, ensuring legal

compliance and employee relations best practices
 Developed and executed recruitment strategies that filled 100% of open roles in the unit within
the targeted timeline
 Spearheaded the introduction of an employee referral program that enriched talent acquisition,
increasing referral hires by 50%
 Advocated for the implementation of flexible work arrangements, promoting work-life balance and
contributing to a 20% uplift in employee satisfaction
 Piloted a succession planning initiative that prepared the organization for future leadership needs
and reduced risks associated with key role vacancies
 Implemented a comprehensive career development program that reduced employee turnover
by 15% and boosted employee satisfaction scores

Key Achievements
 Was awarded the ACCOR Excellence Award under the outstanding employees- Asia Idol
Award category in 2011 for been instrumental in many initiatives for the hotel throughout the
year. With active focus on employee training, development, recognition, motivation, team
building, CSR actions, a culture of multitasking, management approachability and where every
success, however small is celebrated in the hotel, was successfully implemented. As a result, the
hotel managed to reduce its turnover and significantly increase its employees as well as guest’s
satisfaction.
 Recognized twice as 101 Top HR Minds in Hotel Industry by World HRD Congress
 Successfully mentored team members who now head HR function in 6 Accor properties.
 Supported the learning and development functions of the properties, as a result of which 3 L&D
Managers colleagues were recognized for their contributions and won the Accor L&D person of
the year award.

Education and Certification Credentials

Master in Business Administration (MBA), PGDBM Pune University 2008 India
Bachelor of Science in Physics, Delhi University 2005 India

Additional Trainings
Train the Trainer, HR Pass Dimension, Finance Essentials, ISO14001 implementation training,
Collaborative problem solving, 7 habits of highly effective people, Coaching at workplace

Skills
|Strategic Workforce Planning |Talent acquisition |Performance Management
|Leadership Development |Succession Planning |Employee Engagement
|Payroll Management |Compensation and benefits |Employee Relations
|Statutory and Legal Compliance |HR analytics |Training & Development

Languages Known
English, Hindi

Personal References
Date of birth: 26 May 1984 Available on request
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